The ranks of unbeaten teams in NCAA Division I college basketball dwindled a little further last night.

Butler became the first team to drop, when Indiana State’s Brenton Scott hit a free throw with less than a second left to give the Sycamores a 72-71 victory. The Bulldogs lost for the first time in nine games, while ISU continues to work on evening the score after three close losses in the AdvoCare Invitational-and did so in this one on Larry Bird’s 60th birthday, too!

TCU soon lost too, trimming the list of teams without a loss to nine, as SMU topped the Horned Frogs 74-59 in a game closer than the final score. Former president George W. Bush and wife Laura were on hand, as was former British prime minister David Cameron, and it’s time that this rivalry of Dallas vs. Fort Worth picks up steam and becomes a big deal every year, the way it ought to be. … Continue Reading

–Temple will still have ups and downs this season because of how young the Owls are. But the talent Fran Dunphy has is sure going to be fun to watch. Obi Enechionyia is playing with supreme confidence right now, a 6-foot-8 matchup nightmare who is on fire from three, and freshmen Quinton Rose and Alani Moore are playing major minutes and are fun to watch. Josh Brown also has returned from an Achilles injury faster than many expected and provides veteran leadership. Temple’s players also are moving themselves and moving the ball more this year than in recent years. The Owls’ wins over Florida State and West Virginia were no flukes. … Continue Reading

Tuesday was one of the busier days of the college basketball season, but certainly its longest one with games filling literally almost every minute of the 24 hours.

ESPN’s Tip-Off Marathon was a big part of that, and for all of the frustrations with its coverage of college basketball (such as the network’s website including a piece questioning how Duke and Kentucky became the sport’s two most prominent programs without acknowledging its role in putting them there?), the marathon is a fun idea that at least gives a national look at the sport and an event to rally around. It was not alone on Tuesday, though, as other games and events were part of the story. … Continue Reading

The Atlantic 10 celebrated 40 years in 2015-16, and it has seen a little bit of everything in the last year. In all, though, the conference looks to be in a very good place when it comes to the hardwood.

For starters, we saw Dayton and VCU remain among the conference’s elite. They were part of a three-way tie for the regular season title and were the top two seeds in the conference tournament. VCU had some growing pains in Will Wade’s first season at the helm, but they grew into a solid team that won an NCAA Tournament game.

NEW YORK – In the first round, they faced elimination. George Washington barely got by a good Hofstra team 82-80, in the friendly confines of home no less, to advance to the second round. As the tournament advanced, they played better each time out, gained confidence and subsequently handled all opposition. Monmouth on the road, Florida at home.

Next up was the NIT “Final Four” at Madison Square Garden. In the semis the Colonials sent San Diego State back home. In the finals, following a nearly even first half, George Washington opened it up the second half going on to went defeat Valparaiso 76-60.

Years from now, perhaps the best compliment one will be able to give one of the most talented senior classes in the history of George Washington basketball is that not only did they go out as champions, but they also went out playing their very best.

After a two-point escape against Hofstra in their National Invitation Tournament opener, there was no stopping the Colonials the rest of the way on their postseason run. Not even a top-seeded Valparaiso could get in the way as GW won the 79th annual NIT 76-60 Thursday night for its first postseason tournament championship in school history. … Continue Reading

The championship game for the 79th annual National Invitation Tournament is set, and it’s a worthy one with two very good teams.

How good? Well, one way to look at it is this: if Oklahoma and Syracuse end up playing in the NCAA Tournament final on Monday, their combined win total this season will be less than that of the two playing in the NIT title game.

Valparaiso and George Washington are the final two left in the nation’s oldest Division I event after the Crusaders edged Brigham Young 72-70 and the Colonials dominated San Diego State 65-46 on Tuesday. The result is a final game on Thursday that will feature two teams with a combined 57 wins this year, with Valpo entering with a sparkling 30-6 mark and GW a fine 27-10.

George Washington’s experienced core of seniors Patricio Garino, Kevin Larsen and Joe McDonald has accomplished a lot in four years together, so adding another milestone to their careers and to the school’s history books is a fitting ending for the three.

From 13-17 as freshmen to the NCAA Tournament the next year to a small step backwards to the NIT second round a year ago, the trio now has led the Colonials to the NIT Final Four for the first time in school history. GW defeated stubborn Florida 82-77 on Wednesday, holding on to win in a game that featured 14 ties and 19 lead changes. … Continue Reading

With the NCAA Tournament now on recess for a few days, the coaching merry-go-round is starting to spin again.

Monday saw several vacancies filled, more created and rumors of still more to possibly come. The biggest moves both came in the Big 12, where TCU hired former Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon and Oklahoma State landed Stephen F. Austin’s Brad Underwood.

Dixon’s move to Fort Worth makes perfect sense. He was a starter on TCU’s greatest team going back almost a half a century now, the 1987 Horned Frogs who won the Southwest Conference regular season title, earned a 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the second round before dropping a gut-wrenching one-point game to Notre Dame. (Sound familiar, Stephen F. Austin fans?) … Continue Reading

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – In the opening half they chose to shoot the three. And shoot it they did. George Washington shot 11 of 16 (68.8 percent) the first twenty minutes. The Colonials enjoyed a 14-point halftime lead, but could not sustain. Saint Joseph’s put together a strong second half to edge the colonials 86-80 in an Atlantic 10 quarterfinal at the Barclays Center. The Hawks will face Dayton, an easy winner over Richmond, in the Atlantic Ten Conference semifinals on Saturday.

George Washington shot an impressive 15 of 31 for 48 percent from three on the game. In the second half, the Colonials misfired shooting 4 of 15 for 27%. It was a combination of things. Percentages caught up the the Colonials? Yes, but beyond that it was a tighter Saint Joseph’s defense making it a point to locate and close out on perimeter threats.

Gonzaga might have needed the West Coast Conference title they won in Las Vegas last year in order to be in the NCAA Tournament. With better guards, there should be no doubt about that this time around.

The Big 12 has been on a great run to be the top conference in recent years, including last year. This year will be a challenge due to a big loss of experience throughout the conference.

Hoopville Archives

Hoopville Archives

College Basketball Books

Everybody Needs a Head Coach

Former college basketball coach Mike Jarvis has a new book out, Everybody Needs a Head Coach.

"As you read this book, I hope that Coach Jarvis' experiences inspire you to find your purpose in life."-Patrick Ewing, NBA Hall of Fame center

"Mike Jarvis' is one of my special friends. I am so pleased that he has taken the time to write this fabulous book."-Mike Krzyzewski, Five-time NCAA championship head coach, Duke Blue Devils

"In reading this book, I can see that Mike hasn't lost his edge or his purpose. Readers should take a look at what he has to say."-Jim Calhoun, Three-time NCAA champion, UConn Men's basketball

Review on Hoopville coming soon!

Coaching Changes and NBA Draft Early Entrants

The coaching carousel is moving. Keep track of the latest coaching changes right here on Hoopville.

Also, keep track of players who have declared early for the NBA Draft.

College Basketball Tonight

We hope you enjoyed COLLEGE BASKETBALL TONIGHT during the 2016 NCAA Tournament. COLLEGE BASKETBALL TONIGHT is a comprehensive look at the NCAA Tournament hosted by veteran college basketball broadcaster Ted Sarandis, along with co-hosts Mike Jarvis and Terry O'Connor, both former Division I coaches. It also included many great guests, including Hoopville's own Phil Kasiecki.

The show aired on AM 710 WOR in New York City on Sunday evenings starting with Selection Sunday and running through the NCAA Tournament.